Google Offers Free Electric Car Charging for Employees at Mountain View
Google has installed over 220 charging points at its California headquarters, supporting both its Gfleet car-sharing scheme and staff with their own electric vehicles.
Google has expanded its employee benefits by offering free electric car charging at its Mountain View headquarters, aiming to encourage electric vehicle use among staff and support its existing Gfleet car-sharing programme. The move, announced in June 2011, added a substantial number of charging points to the company’s campus, reflecting Google’s ongoing investment in green transport solutions.
Charging infrastructure at Googleplex
The installation includes 150 Level 1 (110-volt) chargers and 71 faster Level 2 (240-volt) chargers, making over 220 charging points available on site. Level 2 units can bring a Nissan Leaf to 80 percent charge in roughly three hours, providing practical support for daily commuters who drive electric vehicles. The chargers are available not just to employees using the company’s Gfleet vehicles but also to staff who own their own plug-in cars.
Google’s Gfleet car-sharing service, which operates from the Mountain View campus, features a mix of Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrids, Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrids, and Nissan Leafs. The company’s approach combines free charging with access to shared electric vehicles, making it easier for employees to try out EVs or commute without relying on petrol or diesel cars.
Support for employee EV adoption
By offering free charging, Google aims to lower the barriers for employees considering a switch to electric cars. Staff who live further from the campus can now commute in an EV without worrying about charging costs or range limitations. Those without their own plug-in vehicle may use the company’s Gfleet cars for work or personal trips, further familiarising themselves with electric mobility.
The initiative is part of a wider trend among major tech companies to offer sustainable transport options and employee perks. Google’s approach, with a large number of charging points and a dedicated EV fleet, was among the most comprehensive in Silicon Valley at the time. The company has a history of providing benefits such as free transport shuttles, meals, and bonuses, but the charging scheme specifically targets environmental impact and the adoption of cleaner vehicles.
Context in the wider EV market
The announcement came as electric vehicle sales were starting to grow in the United States, with models like the Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf entering wider circulation. Google’s investment in charging infrastructure and car-sharing aligns with broader efforts by manufacturers and municipalities to expand EV access. For comparison, other cities and companies were also beginning to install public and workplace charging, but few matched the scale or integration of Google’s scheme at that point.
The move also complements initiatives elsewhere, such as municipal EV fleets and expanded warranty coverage for electric car batteries, as seen with the Nissan Leaf. For more on electric vehicle developments, see Nissan Expands Leaf Battery Warranty After Capacity Complaints.
